Connecting end effectors to surgical devices

ABSTRACT

A surgical fastener applying device for releasable connection to an end effector is provided. The surgical fastener applying device includes an elongated body portion having an outer tube and an inner shaft assembly. The inner shaft assembly defines a non-circular bore in a distal end thereof. The inner shaft assembly is longitudinally movable through the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner shaft assembly define corresponding openings extending radially therethrough. The surgical fastener applying device includes a detent movable within the openings of the elongated body portion. The detent floats between the end effector and the elongated body portion to enable selective connection between the end effector and the elongated body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/134,107 filed Mar. 17, 2015, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surgical devices, systems, and/ormethods for performing surgical procedures. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying devices and/orsystems that are loadable with end effectors containing absorbable orpermanent surgical fasteners for performing minimally invasive surgicalprocedures, and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

Various surgical procedures require devices capable of applyingfasteners to tissue to form tissue connections or to secure objects totissue. For example, during hernia repair it is often desirable tofasten a mesh to body tissue. In certain hernias, such as direct orindirect inguinal hernias, a part of the intestine protrudes through adefect in the abdominal wall to form a hernial sac. The defect may berepaired using an open surgery procedure in which a relatively largeincision is made and the hernia is closed outside the abdominal wall bysuturing. The mesh is attached with sutures over the opening in theabdominal wall to provide reinforcement.

Minimally invasive, e.g., endoscopic or laparoscopic, surgicalprocedures are currently available to repair a hernia. In laparoscopicprocedures, surgery is performed in the abdomen through a small incisionwhile in endoscopic procedures, surgery is performed through narrowendoscopic tubes or cannulas inserted through small incisions in thebody. Laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures generally utilize long andnarrow devices capable of reaching remote regions within the body andare configured to form a seal with the incision or tube they areinserted through. Additionally, the devices are typically capable ofbeing actuated remotely, that is, from outside the body.

Currently, minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repairutilize surgical fasteners, e.g., surgical tacks, staples, and clips, tosecure the mesh to the tissue to provide reinforcement and structure forencouraging tissue ingrowth. Surgical fasteners are often appliedthrough an elongated device for delivery to the mesh, and aremanipulated from outside a body cavity.

In some procedures permanent fasteners may be required, while in otherprocedures bioabsorbable fasteners may be required, or both. Theminimally invasive devices include end effectors that are typicallyloaded with either permanent fasteners or bioabsorbable fasteners.Additionally, following a surgical procedure, these devices are eitherre-sterilized for re-use or are disposed.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, new devices and/or systems that are reliable, precise, andthat enable easy and efficient attachment and removal of end effectorsthereto, as well as methods of use thereof, would be desirable.

The present disclosure is directed to new devices, systems, and/ormethods for enabling attachment and/or detachment of end effectors tosurgical devices and/or systems within small work spaces (e.g., 0.218inch work envelope or the like). The new devices, systems, and/ormethods advantageously enable a user to effectuate such attachmentand/or detachment remotely from handles thereof by virtue a selectivelymovable and/or floating detent that couples a proximally extending driveshaft of the end effector to an inner shaft assembly of an elongatedbody portion of the presently disclosed devices and/or systems. With thepresently disclosed end effectors attached to the presently discloseddevices and/or systems, a user can articulate the end effectors relativeto the presently disclosed devices and/or systems and/or fire anchorsfrom these end effectors, for example, to secure a mesh to body tissue.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical device is provided.The surgical device includes an elongated body portion, an end effector,and a detent.

The elongated body portion includes an outer tube and an inner shaftassembly. The outer tube includes a proximal portion and a distalportion. The inner shaft assembly is longitudinally and/or rotationallymovable through the outer tube. The inner shaft assembly includes adistal tube defining a non-circular bore in a distal end thereof. Thebore may have a D-shaped cross-sectional profile. The outer tube and thedistal tube define corresponding openings extending transverselytherethrough. The inner shaft assembly includes a proximal rigid portionconnected to a distal flexible portion. The distal flexible portionextends distally to the distal tube.

The end effector is selectively connectable to the elongated bodyportion. The end effector includes a drive shaft that extends proximallytherefrom and that defines an annular recess in an outer surfacethereof. The annular recess of the drive shaft may have an arcuatecross-sectional profile. The annular recess of the drive shaft maypartially circumscribe the drive shaft. The drive shaft has anon-circular transverse cross-sectional profile that is complimentary inshape to the non-circular bore of the inner shaft assembly of theelongated body portion. The non-circular transverse cross-sectionalprofile of the drive shaft may be D-shaped and may be complementary toD-shaped cross-sectional profile of the bore. The drive shaft rotates inresponse to rotation of the inner shaft assembly.

The end effector includes an outer housing positioned about the driveshaft. The outer housing of the end effector and the outer tube of theelongated body portion include corresponding mating structuresconfigured and dimensioned for engagement to rotationally align and locktogether the elongated body portion and the end effector.

The detent is movable within the openings of the elongated body portion.The detent is positionable between the annular recess of the drive shaftand the outer tube of the elongated body portion to connect the endeffector to the elongated body portion in response to insertion of thedrive shaft into the non-circular bore of the inner shaft assembly. Thedetent is configured and dimensioned to float between the end effectorand the elongated body portion to enable to selective connection betweenthe end effector and the elongated body portion. In certain embodiments,the detent has a spherical shape.

In some embodiments, the surgical device includes an articulationassembly having an articulation actuator supported at a proximal end ofthe elongated body portion. A drive assembly is operatively coupledbetween the articulation actuator and the distal portion of the outertube. The articulation actuator is actuatable to articulate the distalportion of the outer tube relative to the proximal portion of the outertube for articulating the end effector relative to a longitudinal axisdefined through the elongated body portion.

The drive assembly may include a slidable tube and an articulation arm.The articulation arm is pivotally coupled to the slidable tube and thedistal portion of the outer tube. The articulation actuator is coupledto the slidable tube so that rotation of the articulation actuatorlongitudinal translates the slidable tube through the elongated bodyportion. Longitudinal translation of the slidable tube longitudinallytranslates the articulation arm to enable the end effector to articulaterelative to the longitudinal axis.

According to yet another aspect, an end effector is configured anddimensioned for releasable connection to an elongated body portion of asurgical fastener applying device. The elongated body portion includes adetent. The end effector includes a proximally extending drive shaftconfigured and dimensioned for insertion into the elongated body portionof the surgical fastener applying device. The drive shaft defines anannular recess configured and dimensioned to receive the detent suchthat the detent is positionable between the annular recess and theelongated body portion of the surgical fastener applying device toconnect the end effector to the surgical fastener applying device.

The end effector may include an outer tube supporting the proximallyextending drive shaft. In some embodiments, the drive shaft is rotatableto fire a plurality of fasteners supported within the outer tube fromthe outer tube.

According to still another aspect, a surgical fastener applying deviceconfigured and dimensioned for releasable connection to an end effectoris provided.

The surgical fastener applying device includes an elongated body portionand a detent. The elongated body portion includes an outer tube and aninner shaft assembly. The inner shaft assembly includes a distal tubethat defines a non-circular bore in a distal end thereof. The innershaft assembly is longitudinally movable through the outer tube. Theouter tube and the distal tube define corresponding openings extendingtransversely therethrough. The detent is movable within the openings ofthe elongated body portion. The detent is configured and dimensioned tofloat between the end effector and the elongated body portion to enableselective connection between the end effector and the elongated bodyportion.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand, together with a general description of the disclosure given above,and the detailed description given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscopic surgical system inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top perspective view of a distal portion of theendoscopic surgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the distal portion of theendoscopic surgical system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an end effectorof the endoscopic surgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a shipping wedge of the endoscopicsurgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an elongated bodyportion of the endoscopic surgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of the indicated area of detailshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscopic surgical system ofFIG. 1, as taken along line segment 9-9 of FIG. 1, the endoscopicsurgical system shown in a first state;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, elevational view of the indicated area of detailshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the endoscopicsurgical system of FIG. 1 in a second state;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 11;

FIGS. 13-18 are progressive views illustrating an assembly of theendoscopic surgical system of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 19-22 are progressive views illustrating a removal of the shippingwedge from the endoscopic surgical system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed devices are described in detailwith reference to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of thedevice that is farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refersto that portion of the device that is closer to the user.

Non-limiting examples of endoscopic surgical devices according to thepresent disclosure include manual, mechanical and/or electromechanicalsurgical tack appliers (i.e., tackers) and the like. For a more detaileddescription of similar endoscopic surgical devices and componentsthereof that can be used with, or adapted for use with, the presentlydescribed endoscopic surgical devices, reference can be made to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/974,338, filed on Aug. 23, 2013 andentitled “Articulating Apparatus for Endoscopic Procedures,” the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-8, an endoscopic surgical system is showngenerally as 10. Endoscopic surgical system 10 includes an endoscopicsurgical device in the form of an endoscopic surgical tack applier ortacker 100, and a shipping wedge 200. Tack applier 100 includes a handleassembly 110 and an elongated body portion 120 extending distally alonga longitudinal axis “L” from handle assembly 110 to an end effector 130at a distal end thereof that is selectively detachable/attachablefrom/to elongated body portion 120.

Handle assembly 110 includes a handle housing 112 having a firsthalf-section 112 a and a second half section 112 b joined to one anotherto form a stationary handle 112 c. First half-section 112 a and secondhalf section 112 b of handle housing 112 may be joined to one anotherusing known methods by those of skill in the art, including and notlimited to welding, fasteners (i.e., screws) and the like.

Referring also to FIG. 9, handle assembly 110 includes a trigger 114connected to handle housing 112 about a pivot point “P” for pivotingmovement relative to handle housing 112 as illustrated by arrow “A1.”Handle assembly 110 includes a biasing member 116 configured formaintaining trigger 114 in an extended or un-actuated position. Biasingmember 116 is also configured to have a spring constant sufficient toreturn trigger 114 to the un-actuated position.

Trigger 114 defines a gear rack 114 a formed thereon at a locationopposite a hand grip portion and remote from the pivot point “P” oftrigger 114. Gear rack 114 a of trigger 114 is configured for operativeengagement with a pinion gear 114 b rotatably supported in handlehousing 112.

Handle assembly 110 further includes a bevel gear 114 c, in the form ofa crown gear, operatively engaged/associated with pinion gear 114 b androtatably mounted to handle housing 112. Bevel gear 114 c is operativelyengaged/associated with a drive gear 118 rotatably mounted to handlehousing 112. Gear components such as gear rack 114 a, pinion gear 114 b,bevel gear 114 c, drive gear 118, and/or teeth thereof can have anysuitable configuration for interacting/enmeshing with one another. Forexample, these gear components can be configured and dimensioned suchthat one complete squeeze of trigger 114 results in one completerevolution of pinion gear 114 b causing drive gear 118 to rotate therequired number of turns to deliver the surgical fastener.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, drive gear 118 defines a non-circular opening118 a dimensioned to receive a proximal end portion of an inner shaftassembly 140 of elongated body portion 120. Non-circular opening 118 acan have a transverse cross-sectional profile with any suitable shapesuch as a D-shape, for example, to transmit torque to the inner shaftassembly 140.

Referring also to FIGS. 10 and 11, elongated body portion 120 includesan outer tube 122 that supports inner shaft assembly 140. Outer tube 122includes a proximal portion 124 and a distal portion 126.

With reference to FIG. 7, proximal portion 124 includes an outer surface124 a that defines a throughbore 124 b extending transverselytherethrough and an inner surface 124 c that defines lumen 124 dextending longitudinally therealong. A distal end of inner surface 124 cdefines a threaded portion 124 e therealong.

Referring to FIG. 8, distal portion 126 of outer tube 122 includes anouter wall 126 a. An inner surface of outer wall 126 a defines a centralbore 126 b. A pivot portion 126 c extends proximally from outer wall 126a and includes a pair of opposed protuberances 126 d, each of whichextends from one of the side surfaces of pivot portion 126 c (only oneof the pair of opposed protuberances 126 d shown in FIG. 8). Outer wall126 a extends distally to first and second rotational lock features 126e (e.g., on bottom of outer tube 122—shown facing upwards in FIG. 8),126 f (e.g., on top of outer tube 122—shown facing downwards in FIG. 8).Each of first and second rotational lock features 126 e, 126 f includesa pair of tapered side surfaces 126 g. One or both of first and secondrotational lock features 126 e, 126 f can have any suitable shape suchas trapezoidal, for example, to facilitate rotational lockinginteraction with a counterpart shape as described in greater detailbelow. Outer wall 126 a further defines a pair of opposed proximalapertures 126 h and an elongated, transverse distal slot 126 i, each ofwhich extends through outer wall 126 a. As seen in FIGS. 14 and 15,distal portion 126 includes an alignment feature 126 j positionedthereon to facilitate alignment of distal portion 126 relative to endeffector 130, as described in greater detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 11, inner shaft assembly 140 includes a couplingmember 142 at a proximal end thereof that is slidably supported withinnon-circular opening 118 a of drive gear 118 and rotatable therewith asillustrated by arrows “A2” and “A3.” Coupling member 142 includes a stem142 a having a non-circular, transverse, cross-sectional outer profileat a proximal end thereof that is configured and dimensioned tocorrespond to non-circular opening 118 a of drive gear 118, therebyproviding slidable movement therein relative to drive gear 118. In someembodiments, non-circular stem 142 a has a D-shape transversecross-sectional outer profile. Coupling member 142 extends distally to amounting portion 142 b, operatively engaged/associated with a slider150, and a biasing member 160. Mounting portion 142 b defines a bore 142c that receives a proximal end of biasing member 160 and includes aplurality of annular flanges 142 d that extends therefrom. The proximalend of biasing member 160 is secured to an inner surface of mountingportion 142 b using any known technique such as peening, welding,fastening or the like. Non-circular stem 142 a defines a passage 142 din communication with bore 142 c of mounting portion 142 b. Non-circularstem 142 a includes a transverse passage 142 e therethrough incommunication with passage 142 d.

Inner shaft assembly 140 includes a proximal rigid portion 144 having aproximal end 144 a received within passage 142 d of coupling member 142.Proximal rigid portion 144 defines an aperture 144 e (FIG. 7)therethrough in communication with transverse passage 142 e of couplingmember 142. Aperture 144 e of proximal rigid portion 144 and transversepassage 142 e of coupling member 142 receive a fastener or a pin (notshown) therein to secure proximal rigid portion 144 within passage 142 dof coupling member 142. In some embodiments, proximal end 144 a ofproximal rigid portion 144 is secured within passage 142 d of couplingmember 142 using any known technique such as peening, welding, fasteningor the like. Proximal rigid portion 144 extends to a distal end 144 bconnected to a proximal end 146 a of a distal flexible portion 146 ofinner shaft assembly 140.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 12, a distal end 146 b of distal flexibleportion 146 is connected to a proximal end 148 a of a distal tube 148.Distal tube 148 extends to a distal end 148 b and defines a longitudinalbore 148 c that opens through distal end 148 b thereof. Distal tube 148also defines an opening 148 d therethrough that is transverse to, and incommunication with, longitudinal bore 148 c. Longitudinal bore 148 c hasa D-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile. Longitudinal bore 148 cmay have any suitable non-circular shape and/or dimension forreceiving/interacting with one or more components of end effector 130.Opening 148 d of distal tube 140 is configured to receive a detent 170therein. Detent 170 may have any suitable shape and/or dimension such asspherical and/or rounded for example. In some embodiments, detent 170may be a ball.

As seen in FIG. 11, a slider 150 is slidably supported on handleassembly 110 and includes a finger pad 152 extending from an outersurface of handle assembly 110. Slider 150 further includes a matingportion 154 having a flange 156 engaged with annular flanges 142 d ofcoupling member 142. Slider 150 is biased to a proximal position byaxial forces generated by biasing member 160. The axial forces aretransmitted through interaction between flange 156 of slider 150 andannular flanges 142 d of coupling member 142. Slider 150 is selectivelymovable to a distal position to axially advance inner shaft assembly 140relative to longitudinal axis “L,” as described in greater detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 11, an articulation assembly 180 includes anarticulation actuator 180 a supported at a proximal end of elongatedbody portion 120 and rotatable thereabout as illustrated by arrow “A4.”Articulation actuator 180 a is axially fixed within a recess 111 definedwithin handle assembly 110 via one or more flanges 111 a. In someembodiments, flange 111 a has an annular configuration. Articulationassembly 180 includes a drive assembly 180 b. Drive assembly 180 bincludes a tubular sleeve 182, a slidable tube 184, and an articulationarm 186.

Tubular sleeve 182 of drive assembly 180 b includes first and secondprotubuerances 182 a, 182 b extending therefrom that are slidablyreceived by a helical channel 181 defined within articulation actuator180 a so that rotation of articulation actuator 180 a about outer tube122 of elongated body portion 120 enables tubular sleeve 182 to axiallyslide relative to articulation actuator 180 and outer tube 122 asdescribed in greater detail below. Tubular sleeve 182 further includesfirst and second pins 182 c, 182 d that are received within, andslidable along, opposite ends of throughbore 124 b of outer tube 122,respectively.

Slidable tube 184 of drive assembly 180 b is supported within outer tube122 and slidable therealong. Slidable tube 184 defines first and secondapertures 184 a, 184 b that are dimensioned to receive ends of first andsecond pins 182 c, 182 d of tubular sleeve 182 depending respectivelytherefrom. First and second pins 182 c, 182 d may be secured withinfirst and second apertures 184 a, 184 b using any known technique suchas welding, friction fit, snap fit or the like. First and secondapertures 184 a, 184 b are disposed in communication with throughbore124 b and longitudinally movable therealong as tubular sleeve 182axially translates relative to the longitudinal axis “L.”

With reference to FIG. 7, slidable tube 184 further defines alongitudinally extending lumen 184 c therethrough and an articulationmember recess 184 d that is transverse to lumen 184 c and incommunication therewith.

Articulation arm 186 of drive assembly 180 b includes first and secondprotuberances 186 a, 186 b that extend from side surfaces of a proximalend thereof and third and fourth protuberances 186 c, 186 d that extendfrom side surfaces of a distal end thereof. First and secondprotuberances 186 a, 186 b are received within articulation memberrecess 184 d of slidable tube 184 and each of third and fourthprotuberances 186 c, 186 d are received within one of the pair ofopposed apertures 126 h of distal portion 126 of outer tube 122,respectively (see FIG. 8).

With continued reference to FIG. 7, a clevis 190 of articulationassembly 180 includes first and second arms 192, 194 that are coupled bya base 196 and that extend distally from base 196. Clevis 190 defines acentral passage 198 therethrough. First and second arms 192, 194 definerespective apertures 192 a, 194 a transversely therethrough and includerespective threaded surfaces 192 b, 194 b thereon. Apertures 192 a, 194a of first and second arms 192, 194 receive the pair of opposedprotuberances 126 d of distal portion 126 of outer tube 122 and base 196is supported on a distal end of slidable tube 184 with the distal end ofslidable tube 184 received within central passage 198 of clevis 190.With articulation arm 186 supporting clevis 190 between slidable tube184 and distal portion 126 of outer tube 122 via protuberances 186 a-186d, and with the pair of opposed protuberances 126 d of distal portion126 of outer tube 122 received within apertures 192 a, 194 a of clevis190, distal portion 126 of outer tube 122 is pivotally coupled to clevis190. Threaded surfaces 192 b, 194 b of clevis 190 are threadably engagedwith threaded surface 124 e of proximal portion 124 of outer tube 122.

Optionally, clevis 190 can be rotated relative to proximal portion 124of outer tube 122 in order to adjust a longitudinal position of distalportion 126 of outer tube 122 relative to proximal portion 124 toaccount for changes in length of distal flexible portion 146 of innershaft assembly 140.

Turning back to FIG. 4, end effector 130 is configured to removablyreceive a shipping wedge 200 and for selective connection to elongatedbody portion 120. End effector 130 includes an outer housing 132 coupledto an inner housing 134 by a spring clip 136. End effector 130 supportsand stores a plurality of surgical fasteners or anchors 138 such thathandle assembly 110, elongated body portion 120, and end effector 130cooperate to selectively release or fire one or more of the plurality ofanchors 138 from end effector 130, as described in greater detail below.

Outer housing 132 includes an outer surface 132 a and a threaded innersurface 132 b that defines a lumen 132 c longitudinally therethrough.With reference to FIG. 5, outer housing 132 includes a proximal segment132 d and a distal segment 132 e. Proximal and distal segments 132 d,132 e of outer housing 132 have different diameters and are separated ata ledge or shoulder 132 f. Distal segment 132 e of outer housing 132defines a pair of side slots 132 g (only one of the pair of side slots132 g being shown in FIG. 5) in an outer surface thereof. Outer housing132 defines a transverse aperture 132 h through outer surface 132 a andincludes a pair of rotational lock features 132 i (only one of the pairof rotational lock features 132 i being shown in FIG. 5) that receivesfirst and second rotational lock features 126 e, 126 f of distal portion126 of outer tube 122. Each of the pair of rotational lock features 132i includes a pair of engaging surfaces 132 j. One or both of the pair ofengaging surfaces 132 j may include one or more angled, tapered, and/orcurved surfaces. Transverse aperture 132 h extends along portions ofboth proximal and distal segments 132 d, 132 e of outer housing 132. Asseen in FIGS. 14 and 15, proximal segment 132 d of outer housing 132includes an alignment feature 132 k positioned to align with alignmentfeature 126 j of distal portion 126 of outer tube 122. Although shown asribs, alignment features 126 j, 132 k can include structure or indiciaof any size, shape, and/or color suitable for orienting end effector 130relative to elongated body portion 120 to facilitate proper connectiontherebetween.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, inner housing 134 includes a supportbody 134 a having a drive shaft 134 b extending proximally therefrom andfirst and second tines 134 c, 134 d extending distally therefrom. Firstand second tines 134 c, 134 d are disposed in spaced-apart relation toone another and define an anchor channel 134 e therebetween that isconfigured and dimensioned to receive the plurality of anchors 138.Support body 134 a defines an annular channel 134 f radially therearoundthat aligns with the pair of side slots 132 g of outer housing 132 forreceiving clip 136 to longitudinally fix inner housing 134 relative toouter housing 132. Drive shaft 134 b defines an annular recess 134 gthat extends around an arcuate surface 134 h of drive shaft 134 b. Driveshaft 134 b further includes a flat surface 134 j disposed opposite toarcuate surface 134 h.

With reference to FIGS. 4-8, shipping wedge 200 includes a body portion202, and first and second wings 204, 206 that extend from body portion202. Body portion 202 has an outer surface 202 a and an inner surface202 b. Inner surface 202 b defines a channel 202 c that extends axiallyalong body 202. Channel 202 c is configured and dimensioned to receiveouter housing 132 of end effector 130. An engagement nub 208 extendsfrom inner surface 202 b into channel 202 c of shipping wedge 200.Engagement nub 208 is receivable within transverse aperture 132 h ofouter housing 132 and within a proximal portion of anchor channel 134 ewhile shipping wedge 200 is secured to end effector 130. First andsecond wings 202, 204 are biased by body portion 202 in an initial statein which first and second wings 202, 204 are disposed in spaced-apartrelation and in which channel 202 c is configured and dimensioned toengage outer housing 132 of end effector 130 for maintaining shippingwedge 200 secured to end effector 130. First and second wings 202, 204are configured and dimensioned to flex toward one another to flex bodyportion 202 outwardly and to further open channel 202 c for facilitatingattachment and/or removal of shipping wedge 200 to/from end effector 130(see FIG. 20).

With reference to FIGS. 9-22, a loading of end effector 130 to handleassembly 110, and an operation of tacker 100 is described. As shown inFIGS. 9-12, the proximal end of end effector 130 is aligned with thedistal end of elongated body portion 120. As indicated by arrow “A5,”slider 150 is advanced from an initial position shown in FIG. 9 to thedistal position shown in FIG. 11. Flange 156 of slider 150 axiallydrives annular flanges 142 d of coupling member 142 to axially advancecoupling member 142 such that non-circular stem 142 a thereof slideswithin and relative to non-circular opening 118 a of drive gear 118, asindicated by arrow “A2” (FIG. 11). With proximal rigid portion 144 ofinner shaft assembly 140 fixedly secured to coupling member 142, axialmovement of coupling member 142 drives proximal rigid portion 144 ofinner shaft assembly 140 axially such that distal flexible portion 146drives distal tube 148 distally, as indicated by arrows “A6,” as seen inFIG. 12. As the distal end of distal tube 148 advances distally beyondthe distal end of distal portion 126 of outer tube 122, detent 170,while positioned within opening 148 d of distal tube 148, slides/floatsdistally along the inner surface of outer wall 126 a of distal portion126. Once elongated slot 126 i of distal portion 126 and opening 148 dof distal tube 148 are longitudinally aligned, detent 170 is free tofloat within into opening 148 d of distal tube 148 and within slot 126 iof distal portion 126 (see arrow “A7”) in order to enable receipt ofinner housing 134 within bore 148 c of distal tube 148.

As seen in FIGS. 14-16, with alignment features 132 k, 126 j alignedwith one another, drive shaft 134 b of inner housing 134 is thenadvanced into longitudinal bore 148 c of distal tube 148 as indicated byarrows “A8” and “A9.” Drive shaft 134 b is positioned such that annularrecess 134 g of drive shaft 134 b is aligned with detent 170 and incommunication with opening 148 d of distal tube 148.

With inner housing 134 inserted into bore 148 c of distal tube 148, andwith annular recess 134 g of drive shaft 134 b in registration withdetent 170, slider 150 is moved in a proximal direction to withdraw ormove distal tube 148 in a proximal direction to urge detent 170 out ofelongated slot 126 i and into annular recess 134 g of drive shaft 134 band opening 148 d of distal tube 148.

With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, drive shaft 134 b of end effector 130is then further proximally advanced into distal tube 148 as indicated byarrows “A11” such that detent 170 proximally slides/floats along innersurface of outer wall 126 a of distal portion 126 until inner shaftassembly 140 and slider 150 are positioned back into their initialpositions (see FIG. 9) and end effector 130 and elongated body portion120 are fully engaged and locked together via detent 170.

As seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, to remove shipping wedge 200, first andsecond wings 204, 206 are approximated or flexed toward one another sothat body portion 202 flexes radially outwardly as indicated by arrows“A12” and “A13,” respectively. Shipping wedge 200 may then be separatedfrom end effector 130 as indicated by arrows “A14.” With shipping wedge200 removed, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, tacker 100 can be fired asdescribed in greater detail below.

During use, a clinician may desire to articulate end effector 130relative to elongated body portion 120 and longitudinal axis “L” asindicated by arrow “AA,” shown in FIG. 1. To effectuate articulation,articulation actuator 180 a of articulation assembly 180 is rotated asindicated by arrow “A4.” Rotation of articulation actuator 180 a impartslinear movement to tubular sleeve 182 as illustrated by arrow “A17,” asshown in FIG. 11. Axial movement of tubular sleeve 182 enables first andsecond pins 182 c, 182 d to axially slide slidable tube 184 within outertube 122 relative thereto. As slidable tube 184 is drawn proximally,articulation arm 186 articulates distal portion 126 of outer tube 122relative to proximal portion 124 of outer tube in the directionillustrated by arrow “AA.” Rotation of articulation actuator 180 a in anopposite direction drives slidable tube 184 distally and articulatesdistal portion 126 of outer tube 122 back toward its initial position inaxial alignment with proximal portion 124 of outer tube 122.

To fire one or more of the plurality of anchors 138, trigger 114 isdrawn proximally toward stationary handle 112 c as indicated by arrow“A1,” as shown in FIG. 9. While trigger 114 pivots about pivot point“P,” radially movement imparted by gear rack 114 a, indicated by arrow“A15,” rotates pinion gear 114 b and bevel gear 114 c as indicated byarrow “A16.” With drive gear 118 and coupling member 142 coupledtogether by non-circular profiles of noncircular opening 118 a of drivegear 118 and non-circular stem 142 a of coupling member 142, as shown inFIG. 11, rotation of bevel gear 114 c imparts rotation on drive gear 118and coupling member 142 of inner shaft assembly 140, as indicated byarrow “A3.” While distal tube 148 of inner shaft assembly 140 rotates,drive shaft 134 b of inner housing 134 rotates such that first andsecond tines 134 c, 134 d rotate the plurality of anchors 138 distallyalong threaded inner surface 132 b of outer housing 132. With outerhousing 132 rotationally fixed relative to outer tube 122 via engagementof first and second rotational lock features 126 e, 126 f with the pairof rotational lock features 132 i (FIG. 5), a distal-most anchor of theplurality of anchors 138 is dispensed from distal end of end effector130 upon approximation of trigger 114 and stationary handle 112 c.Trigger 114 is then released and unapproximated from stationary handle112 c to its initial position relative to handle 112 c. The firingprocess can be repeated as desired until each of the plurality ofanchors 138 is dispensed from end effector 130.

To remove end effector 130 from elongated body portion 120, for example,after a plurality or all of anchors 138 are dispensed from end effector130, slider 150 is again advanced distally until detent 170 is inregistration with or positioned within elongated slot 126 i of outertube 122. Once detent 170 is received in elongated slot 126 i, endeffector 130 may be separated from elongated body portion 120 and a newor reloaded end effector 130 may be reattached and reused, as describedabove.

As can be appreciated, securement of any of the components of thepresently disclosed devices can be effectuated using known fasteningtechniques such welding, crimping, gluing, fastening, etc.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the structures andmethods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanyingfigures are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that thedescription, disclosure, and figures should be construed merely asexemplary of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore,that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise embodimentsdescribed, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of the disclosure. Additionally, the elements and features shownor described in connection with certain embodiments may be combined withthe elements and features of certain other embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure, and that such modificationsand variations are also included within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure isnot limited by what has been particularly shown and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical device comprising: an elongated bodyportion including an outer tube and an inner shaft assembly, the innershaft assembly having a distal tube defining a non-circular bore in adistal end thereof, the inner shaft assembly being longitudinallymovable through the outer tube, the outer tube and the distal tubedefining corresponding openings extending transversely therethrough; anend effector configured and dimensioned for selective connection to theelongated body portion, the end effector supporting surgical fastenerspositioned to distally advance through the end effector, the endeffector including a drive shaft extending proximally therefrom anddefining an annular recess in an outer surface thereof, the drive shafthaving a non-circular transverse cross-sectional profile that iscomplimentary in shape to the non-circular bore of the distal tube; anda detent movable within the openings of the elongated body portion, thedetent positionable between the annular recess of the drive shaft andthe outer tube of the elongated body portion to connect the end effectorto the elongated body portion in response to insertion of the driveshaft into the non-circular bore of the distal tube.
 2. The surgicaldevice of claim 1, wherein the annular recess of the drive shaft has anarcuate cross-sectional profile.
 3. The surgical device of claim 2,wherein the annular recess of the drive shaft partially circumscribesthe drive shaft.
 4. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the innershaft assembly includes a proximal rigid portion connected to a distalflexible portion.
 5. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the driveshaft of the end effector and the bore of the distal tube havecomplementary D-shaped cross-sectional profiles.
 6. The surgical deviceof claim 1, wherein the drive shaft of the end effector rotates inresponse to rotation of the inner shaft assembly.
 7. The surgical deviceof claim 1, wherein the end effector includes an outer housingpositioned about the drive shaft, the outer housing of the end effectorand the outer tube of the elongated body portion including correspondingmating structures configured and dimensioned for engagement torotationally align and lock together the elongated body portion and theend effector.
 8. The surgical device of claim 1, further including anarticulation assembly having an articulation actuator supported at aproximal end of the elongated body portion and a drive assembly, theouter tube of the elongated body portion including a proximal portionand a distal portion, the drive assembly operatively coupled between thearticulation actuator and the distal portion of the outer tube, thearticulation actuator being actuatable to articulate the distal portionof the outer tube relative to the proximal portion of the outer tube forarticulating the end effector relative to a longitudinal axis definedthrough the elongated body portion.
 9. The surgical device of claim 8,wherein the drive assembly includes a slidable tube and an articulationarm, the articulation arm pivotally coupled to the slidable tube and thedistal portion of the outer tube, the articulation actuator coupled tothe slidable tube, wherein rotation of the articulation actuatorlongitudinal translates the slidable tube through elongated bodyportion, wherein longitudinal translation of the slidable tubelongitudinally translates the articulation arm to enable the endeffector to articulate relative to the longitudinal axis.
 10. Thesurgical device of claim 1, wherein the detent is configured anddimensioned to float between the end effector and the elongated bodyportion to enable selective connection between the end effector and theelongated body portion.
 11. The surgical device of claim 10, wherein thedetent has a spherical shape.
 12. An end effector configured anddimensioned for releasable connection to an elongated body portion of asurgical fastener applying device, the elongated body portion includinga detent, the end effector comprising: a plurality of surgical fastenersdistally advanceable through the end effector; and a proximallyextending drive shaft configured and dimensioned for insertion into theelongated body portion of the surgical fastener applying device, thedrive shaft defining an annular recess configured and dimensioned toreceive the detent such that the detent is positionable between theannular recess and the elongated body portion of the surgical fastenerapplying device to connect the end effector to the surgical fastenerapplying device.
 13. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the annularrecess of the drive shaft defines an arcuate cross-sectional profile.14. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the annular recess of thedrive shaft partially circumscribes the drive shaft.
 15. The endeffector of claim 12, wherein the drive shaft has a non-circulartransverse cross-sectional profile.
 16. The end effector of claim 12,wherein the drive shaft is D-shaped.
 17. The end effector of claim 12,further including an outer tube supporting the proximally extendingdrive shaft, the drive shaft being rotatable to fire the plurality offasteners, which are supported within the outer tube from the outertube.
 18. A surgical fastener applying device configured and dimensionedfor releasable connection to an end effector, the surgical fastenerapplying device comprising: an elongated body portion including an outertube and an inner shaft assembly, the inner shaft assembly having adistal tube defining a non-circular bore in a distal end thereof, theinner shaft assembly being longitudinally movable through the outertube, the outer tube and the distal tube defining corresponding openingsextending transversely therethrough, the inner shaft assembly beingactuatable to distally advance at least one surgical fastener throughthe end effector; and a detent movable within the openings of theelongated body portion, the detent configured and dimensioned to floatbetween the end effector and the elongated body portion to enableselective connection between the end effector and the elongated bodyportion.
 19. The surgical fastener applying device of claim 18, whereinthe detent has a spherical shape.
 20. The surgical fastener applyingdevice of claim 18, further including an articulation assembly having anarticulation actuator supported at a proximal end of the elongated bodyportion and a drive assembly, the outer tube of the elongated bodyportion including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the driveassembly operatively coupled between the articulation actuator and thedistal portion of the outer tube, the articulation actuator beingactuatable to articulate the distal portion of the outer tube relativeto the proximal portion of the outer tube for articulating the endeffector relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the elongatedbody portion.